Restaurant François — Seafood in Sainte-Catherine, Brussels

Restaurant François, a Sainte-Catherine institution since 1922

Facing the former Sainte-Catherine fish market, Restaurant François is one of those Brussels addresses that stand the test of time: founded in 1922, it has been established on Quai aux Briques for over a century. The house presents itself as a gourmet Belgian restaurant dedicated to fish and seafood, with authentic and flavourful cuisine prepared from fresh, seasonal produce.

My reasons for walking through the door: the owners

I really enjoy going there. I know the owners, who possess great human qualities: they never hesitate to help out with solidarity initiatives for charitable associations, for example. Behind a wonderful menu, there are people, and it is this generosity that makes me want to highlight this restaurant among my favourites.

A family history tied to the fish market

Local lore tells that Calixte Veulemans bought “Les Armes de Bruxelles” in Petite Rue des Bouchers in 1921. Desiring the finest produce from the North Sea, he looked for an address close to the fish market and acquired the building that first established itself as the essential fishmonger of the Place Sainte-Catherine neighbourhood. The restaurant “François” opened the following year.

In the 1970s, the restaurant became a must-visit and was awarded a prestigious Michelin star. The Veulemans family ran the establishment for three generations. In 2015, property developer Samy Citgez purchased the building, promising the family to remain the guardian of this Brussels gastronomic institution. The restaurant celebrated its centenary in 2022.

Fish and seafood, from the oyster bar to the 1st-floor dining room

The oyster bar, set up on the wide pavement of Quai aux Briques, offers daily arrivals: oysters, lobsters, mussels, whelks, periwinkles, and other shellfish. The main menu features Belgian and French gastronomic seafood specialities, and the establishment partners with its neighbour, Traiteur François, to guarantee product quality.

As for the setting, the terrace catches the sun in both summer and winter, and the 1st-floor banquet room hosts private and corporate events: engagements, weddings, birthdays, communions, baptisms, business dinners… And throughout December, the restaurant joins in the festive atmosphere of the neighbouring Christmas market.

For takeaway, Traiteur François, next door to the restaurant, carries on the house's expertise: +32 2 512 32 77.